Starbucks Aims To Double Clover Single-Cup Brewer Use

SEATTLE -- Starbucks Coffee Co. is marking the fifth anniversary of its Clover single-cup brewing system with plans to double the number of stores using it by the end of 2014. Starbucks currently has 500 coffeehouses that have Clover system, which is designed to brew individual cups of Starbucks Reserve, its most rare and exotic coffees.

The Clover brewing system uses vacuum press technology with a stainless steel filter. Water temperature and brew time are precisely controlled through digital technology. A thermal blanket surrounds the brew chamber to keep water within 1°F. of the ideal temperature. After the coffee brews, it is pulled through a 70-micron filter. The resulting grounds are pushed out of the top of the machine.

"By brewing one cup at a time --using freshly ground beans to deliver that handcrafted cup of coffee to order -- the Clover brewing system brings theater to the brewing process and enables our baristas to have rich conversations with customers about our coffee," said Andrew Linnemann, vice-president of global coffee quality for Starbucks.

Over the past three years, Starbucks has introduced more than 40 different Starbucks Reserve coffees. It said it offers an average 14 varieties a year.

The Clover brewing system and Starbucks Reserve coffees are available in 25 markets in the U.S., as well as in in Canada, the UK, Japan, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Poland, Russia, Thailand and Singapore.

Customers can locate participating stores through the Starbucks mobile app.